KentOnline

The founder of an animal sanctuary has described the moment she thought she’d have to close it down after a planning application was supposedly turned down – describing it as ‘whack’.
The Happy Pants ranch want to stay on their site in Bobbing and have an application in with the council.
They’ve now been told a software issue was to blame and an investigation is under way.
Also in today’s podcast, the boss of Britain’s oldest brewery in Kent says another lockdown in October would be a disaster for the hospitality industry.
It’s been reported the government are planning firebreak restrictions over the half term, although that’s since been denied.
MPs are going to vote today on controversial plans to raise National Insurance to pay for social care reforms.
The Kent Wildlife Trust is backing a campaign to reduce the number of grass fires in the county following the recent spell of hot weather.
Duncan James says he can’t wait to spent Christmas in Kent.
The former Blue singer has been speaking to our What’s On editor about starring in panto in the county.
And, it was a win for Gillingham in the league trophy last night – hear from assistant manager Paul Raynor.
 

A teenage boy has been told he is lucky not to have been paralysed after being attacked with a wrench at a park in Tonbridge.
Freddy Wheatley was taken to hospital with severe bruising after it happened in Longmead Park on Saturday.
He’s spoken of the moment and his mum has explained why she has started a petition calling for CCTV cameras to be installed.
Also in today’s podcast, Boris Johnson has announced plans to reform social care.
It’ll see National Insurance contributions increase by 1.25% from next April.
Hear from a care home boss, our political editor and the chair of the National Care Association.
In sport, Kent’s Emma Raducanu is through to the quarter finals of the US Open tennis.
And Will Bayley from Tunbridge Wells has received a heroes welcome as he arrived at the airport from Tokyo after winning two silver medals at the Paralympics.

It’s been a stressful return to school for pupils and parents in parts of Medway.In Rainham, emergency gas works and planned roadworks caused long delays as some children returned to class for the first time after the summer break.In Wainscott as many as 40 youngsters were left stranded at a bus stop because the service meant to take them to school was already full.Hear from a mum whose son was among those needing to get a lift to class.Also on today’s podcast, it’s feared a rise in energy bills and removal of the £20-per-week Universal Credit top up payment will leave many families in Kent struggling from next month.We’ve spoken to a worker at a foodbank in Sittingbourne and a man who helps families in Thanet avoid falling into poverty.A former British intelligence officer from Kent has told the podcast the threat of terror attacks in the UK has increased following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan.A mum from Maidstone says she’s ‘frustrated’ that her daughter’s school can’t offer accessible exams.And find out if the heatwave is going to continue.

There are calls for docking bays to be installed in Canterbury after reports of e scooters being left dumped on pavements.
The vehicles are part of a trial in the city but have led to concerns over safety and vandalism.
Hear from a worried resident and the response from the council leader.
Also in today’s podcast, businesses on the A2 near Faversham say they’re worried about roadworks which are due to take place over several weekends.
The manager of a new hotel in Ashford has spoken about the impact he hopes it’ll have on the town.
The Elmer the Elephant art trail in Maidstone comes to an end this weekend – we’ve caught up with the town’s Mayor at the Heart of Kent Hospice who put it on.
And, Kent’s Will Bayley has won his second silver medal at the Tokyo Paralympics.

Tributes have been paid to a two-year-old boy from Dartford who’s died following a crash which also killed his dad.
Joshua Hoyle was in the car that collided with three other vehicles on the A267 Tunbridge Wells Road last month. Police have confirmed he later passed away in hospital.
His mum has released a statement as investigations continue.
Also in today’s podcast, the man who represents headteachers in Kent says staff are keen to welcome children back after the summer break – but they remain anxious.
Pupils are being urged to do regular Covid tests but Alan Brookes says more measures to prevent the spread of the virus should have been put in place.
A mum is calling for barbers and hairdressers to do more to accommodate children with additional needs.
Andrea Bartha has explained how she was forced to cut her own son’s hair because he found the whole experience overwhelming.
And, hear from Maidstone drag queen Madame Mu Mu who’s been telling our Instagram live how performing has helped him love himself.

A Kent man who was unable to get on a flight out of Afghanistan fears he will be killed by the Taliban.
The man – who has a wife and children – says he has contacted the British Government for help, but heard nothing since troops left the country.
He’s spoken out as Kent MP Tom Tugendhat questions foreign secretary Dominic Raab on the situation and how prepared the UK was for a mass evacuation.
Also in today’s podcast – will you make a return to commuting after the pandemic?
The people in charge of maintaining the railways and stations in Kent say they’re hoping to welcome back more commuters and have invested millions to make sure they get a good service.
The founder of a fuel campaign group says a move to a different type of petrol will hit hard up drivers.
Medway’s Dr Ranj has advice if you’re struggling with back-to-school nerves.
And, we chat to Gillingham reporter Luke Cawdell as the club welcome a new arrival just hours before the transfer window closed.

A petrol station has been damaged after being targeted by ram-raiders.
The Tesco Express in Larkfield has been taped off after it happened in the early hours of this morning.
Hear from our reporter who’s been at the scene and a local councillor.
Also in today’s podcast, a Faversham mum is calling for assessments for ADHD to be much quicker after her teenage daughter had to wait years before being diagnosed.
Business owners in part of north Kent say their livelihoods are at risk if plans for a theme park are given the go ahead.
A comedian has teamed up with the University of Kent to try and help support people who are recovering from eating disorders.
We’ll hear from the Gillingham boss following their game over the bank holiday weekend.
And we’ve got an updated from the Tokyo Paralympics where Kent’s Will Bayley has been back in action.

A motorcyclist has been killed in a crash in Ashford
 
Also today, Tonbridge and Malling MP Tom Tugendhat says he’s worried about people in Afghanistan still trying to flee the country.
 
A new report’s raised concerns about the quality of care being provided at a mental health hospital in Dartford
 
And hear from Steve Evans and Kyle Dempsey ahead of Gillingham’s League One game with Shrewsbury Town tomorrow.
 

A Maidstone Councillor is calling for local authorities to do more to house people trying to flee Afghanistan.
 
Also today, more needs to be done by Kent Police to keep vulnerable children safe
 
Parents in Kent are being encouraged to regularly test their children for coronavirus before they head back to school. We speak to TV’s Dr Ranj.
 
And people at Reading and Leeds festivals this weekend will be able to get their coronavirus vaccine at pop-up clinics.
Hear from the co-founder of the Black Deer festival in Tunbridge Wells, which has been pushed back to next year.

The number of coronavirus deaths in Kent has more than tripled in the space of a month, as cases continue to rise.
 
Meanwhile, police have released bodycam footage of the moment they tasered a burglar before he was arrested.
 
Also in today’s podcast, a French MP is defending how his country deals with the number of asylum seekers crossing the English Channel.
 
And, the Gillingham boss has suggested he could leave the club after more injury troubles following their league cup defeat.